Orlando Arcia struggled significantly for the Atlanta Braves in 2024 after coming off a career-best season in 2023, and he was unable to replicate that success. While he wasn’t the only Braves player to regress offensively, his drop-off was one of the most noticeable.
This raises a major question for Atlanta’s front office heading into 2025: Should Arcia remain the starting shortstop?
Arcia finished the 2024 season with a .218 batting average and a 72 wRC+, the second-worst in MLB, which doesn’t bode well for the Braves despite his solid defense and affordable $2 million salary.
One potential upgrade in free agency is Willy Adames, who had a strong season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024. Adames offers a better bat than Arcia, though his defense isn’t as strong as Atlanta’s current shortstop.
Braves signing power-hitting shortstop Willy Adames isn’t as great of an idea as it sounds
The Braves have been linked to Willy Adames in the past, so it’s not far-fetched to think they might revisit the idea. But does it make sense?
On the defensive side, Adames posted 1 OAA (Outs Above Average) and -16 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) in 2024, while Arcia had 5 OAA and 0 DRS. While their OAA numbers are somewhat close, the gap in DRS is significant. Adames’ 1 OAA places him in the 67th percentile, which is solid, and he had a much better DRS of 8 in 2023, indicating that 2024 may have been a defensive down year for him. His arm strength remains strong, so it’s something the Braves would need to evaluate carefully, especially considering their emphasis on defense.
Offensively, Adames clearly has the edge. He hit .251 with 32 home runs and 112 RBI in 2024, showing impressive power with an xSLG of .474, a barrel rate of 12.0%, a sweet spot percentage of 38.2%, and an average bat speed of 73.6 mph. Additionally, his 10.8% walk rate surpasses Arcia’s 6.8%, making him more of a threat at the plate.
While Adames offers a significant upgrade offensively, the Braves will have to weigh that against the potential defensive drop-off.
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